Photosynthesis-assisted remodeling of three-dimensional printed structures
Name
e2016524118.full.pdf
Description
Published version
Size
3.45 MB
Format
Unknown
Checksum (MD5)
68ac40cd2e27cca87e10d9988371624a
Author(s)
Yu, Kunhao
Feng, Zhangzhengrong
Du, Haixu
Xin, An
Lee, Kyung Hoon
Li, Ketian
Su, Yipin
Wang, Qiming
Fang, Nicholas X.
Daraio, Chiara
Date Issued
January 2021
Journal
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Publisher
National Academy of Sciences
Citation
Yu, Kunhao, Feng, Zhangzhengrong, Du, Haixu, Xin, An, Lee, Kyung Hoon et al. 2021. "Photosynthesis-assisted remodeling of three-dimensional printed structures." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 118 (3).
Version
Final published version
Abstract
© 2021 National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved. The mechanical properties of engineering structures continuously weaken during service life because of material fatigue or degradation. By contrast, living organisms are able to strengthen their mechanical properties by regenerating parts of their structures. For example, plants strengthen their cell structures by transforming photosynthesis-produced glucose into stiff polysaccharides. In this work, we realize hybrid materials that use photosynthesis of embedded chloroplasts to remodel their microstructures. These materials can be used to three-dimensionally (3D)-print functional structures, which are endowed with matrix-strengthening and crack healing when exposed to white light. The mechanism relies on a 3D-printable polymer that allows for an additional cross-linking reaction with photosynthesis-produced glucose in the material bulk or on the interface. The remodeling behavior can be suspended by freezing chloroplasts, regulated by mechanical preloads, and reversed by environmental cues. This work opens the door for the design of hybrid synthetic-living materials, for applications such as smart composites, lightweight structures, and soft robotics.
MIT Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Mechanical Engineering
Terms of Use
Article is made available in accordance with the publisher's policy and may be subject to US copyright law. Please refer to the publisher's site for terms of use.
Persistent DSpace Link
DOI of Published Version
https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2016524118
